1 cent tax could raise $2M for public safety

LATHROP - The recession took a chunk out of budgets providing public services in Lathrop, and city officials are turning to voters to pass a sales tax measure to prevent further cuts and start rebuilding.

LATHROP - The recession took a chunk out of budgets providing public services in Lathrop, and city officials are turning to voters to pass a sales tax measure to prevent further cuts and start rebuilding.

Measure C would add about $2 million to the city's annual budget with a 1 cent sales tax. The money could be used to bolster the operations budget, but city leaders have stressed the importance of shoring up police and fire protection.

The Lathrop Chamber of Commerce is also supporting the measure for a number of reasons, said Mary Kennedy-Bracken, CEO and president of the chamber. "Public safety is first and foremost," she said. Increased police and fire protection will help people feel more safe and comfortable, and the measure can help create jobs while supporting the growth and development of the city, she said. "All of these together will make the city of Lathrop a better community."

Kennedy-Bracken joined Mayor J. "Chaka" Santos and Lathrop-Manteca Fire District Chief Gene Neely in signing the argument in favor of the measure that voters will receive in election materials. It notes the city is home to about 400 documented gang members and has lost one of its four fire stations. It also notes the staffing level for police and fire are below national standards.

No opponents of the measure submitted a formal argument against it to the county Registrar of Voters.

But San Joaquin Taxpayer's Association President David Renison said cities looking to increase sales tax do not get to the root of their budget problems with such measures. A tax hits struggling families and businesses, he said. "I think the residents of Lathrop should shift the responsibility back to the policymakers to find other options."

The sales tax rate in Lathrop is currently 7.75 cents for every dollar spent, which is the lowest tax rate in the county, where it ranges up to 8.25 percent. In the state, sales tax varies from 7.25 percent (the state minimum) to 9.75 percent (the most the state allows).

Lathrop's measure doesn't set a sunset date on the tax increase. It would, however, create an oversight committee to oversee how the money is spent and require the city's independent auditors to include revenue raised and spent through the measure in its reports, according to the city. The measure requires a simple majority to pass.